Polar Bear Photography Tour

Get eye to eye with wild polar bears on this immersive 8-day, 7-night polar bear photography tour in Churchill, Manitoba—the polar bear capital of the world. As sea ice begins to form on Hudson Bay, polar bears gather along the coastline, creating exceptional opportunities to photograph them at close range in their natural environment. Unlike typical tundra vehicle tours, this polar bear photography tour based out of four-wheel drive vehicles takes you out on foot with expert local guides, giving you an intimate, low-angle perspective that few travelers ever experience. From a bear walking straight toward us along the beach, to playful sparring between young males, to quiet moments with a mother and cub, every encounter offers the chance to create compelling images.

This small-group wildlife photography expedition includes five full days and two half days photographing polar bears, maximizing your chances for unique and special opportunities. Designed by photographers, for photographers, the tour is structured around the best light, animal behavior, and compositional opportunities—so you're always in the right place at the right time. Our experienced guides, with over 25 years in the Churchill region, ensure both safety and ethical wildlife viewing, allowing you to focus on your photography.

In addition to polar bears, you may encounter Arctic foxes, ptarmigan, and other subarctic wildlife, all set against stark, beautiful northern landscapes. If conditions allow, there’s also the option to join a guided nighttime outing to photograph the northern lights—making this polar bear photography tour even more unforgettable.

If you’ve ever dreamed of capturing wild polar bears in a truly immersive setting, this polar bear photography tour delivers an experience like no other. With limited group size, top-tier guiding, and extraordinary photographic access, this is your chance to tell the story of the polar bear through your lens.

Trip Overview

2025 Dates: 01 - 08 Nov (FULL)

2026 Dates: Early Nov (Space Available)

Tour Price: $7800 per person / double occupancy

Tour Start/End Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba

Accommodations: Newly Renovated Bed & Breakfast

Group Size: 7 Guests

Fitness Level: Easy

What’s Included:

  • Flight to/from Churchill, MB

  • First night accommodations in Winnipeg

  • Accommodations in Churchill

  • Breakfast and lunch daily

  • Daily polar bear excursions led by expert guides

  • Each guest is added to the Aurora watch list

Not Included:

  • Flights to/from your home location and Winnipeg, MB

  • Dinners throughout the trip - local restaurant options are available or our B&B has a full kitchen

  • Accommodations in Winnipeg after the trip

  • Optional evening of northern lights viewing (if they present)

  • Gratuities for guides/drivers

What Sets This Trip Apart

Unparalleled Wildlife Encounters
Few places on Earth offer the rare opportunity to photograph polar bears at eye level in the wild. This ground-based approach provides intimate, respectful, and impactful encounters that go far beyond what’s possible from tundra vehicles.

Expert Guides
Our on-the-ground team includes seasoned polar bear guides with over 25 years of experience in the Churchill region. As pioneers of the “walking with bears” approach, they bring unmatched knowledge of bear behavior, safety, and fieldcraft—ensuring both an exceptional experience and responsible wildlife viewing.

Small Group, Big Moments
With a maximum of just 7 guests per week, this tour stays nimble, low-impact, and highly personalized. You’ll enjoy more space for photography, better access to wildlife, and one-on-one support—without ever feeling crowded or rushed.

Photographer-Led, Purpose-Built
Designed by photographers, for photographers, this trip prioritizes light, composition, and animal behavior. Every decision—from timing to positioning—is made with photography in mind, giving you the best possible conditions to create compelling, world-class images.

Example Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in Winnipeg, Manitoba
Your adventure begins in Winnipeg. Arrive at your leisure and take the hotel shuttle to your arranged accommodations for the night. In the evening, we’ll gather for a group welcome dinner to meet your fellow travelers and go over the exciting days ahead. Get a good night’s rest—tomorrow, the Arctic awaits.

Day 2: Flight to Churchill + First Excursion
This morning, we fly to Churchill—gateway to the polar bear capital of the world. Upon arrival, our local guides will greet us and escort us to our cozy, newly renovated bed and breakfast. After settling in, we’ll head out for our first polar bear photography session, cameras in hand.

Days 3–7: 5 Full Days of Polar Bear Photography
Each day begins with a hearty breakfast at our B&B before we head into the field for morning light. These are full, immersive photography days spent tracking and photographing polar bears at eye level.
Expect unforgettable encounters—polar bears roaming the tundra, Arctic foxes on the move, and striking subarctic landscapes under changing skies. We'll take breaks for lunch and return in the evenings to enjoy dinner at a local restaurant (not included) or cook a shared meal at the B&B.

Day 8: Final Shoot + Return to Winnipeg
We’ll make the most of our final morning in Churchill with one last photography outing. After lunch, we’ll catch our return flight to Winnipeg, arriving in the afternoon. Say farewell and depart with memory cards full and stories to last a lifetime.

Optional Northern Lights Viewing

While the primary focus of this tour is polar bear photography, there's also a chance to witness one of nature’s most stunning light shows—the aurora borealis.

Although this isn’t peak aurora season, northern lights can and do occur regularly during polar bear season, especially as temperatures drop and skies become clearer later in the fall. On most trips, there is typically one night with aurora activity—though this can vary.

All guests are automatically added to the complimentary Aurora Watch List. Our team monitors real-time solar activity (KP index) and weather conditions throughout the trip. If there is a strong likelihood of a display before midnight, we will notify the group and coordinate a brief outing to a nearby location for photography.

However, to protect the well-being of our polar bear guides—who work long, demanding days in the field—we do not ask them to lead late-night aurora excursions. Instead, guests who wish to pursue aurora photography opportunities can prebook an optional guided outing with our dedicated local aurora guide.

  • Optional Aurora Photography Outing: $250 CAD ($180 USD) per person
    When the lights appear, our aurora guide will pick up guests and transport them to a carefully selected location for photography.

This optional experience ensures that guests have the chance to capture the northern lights when conditions align—while also allowing our wildlife guides the rest they need to keep everyone safe and energized during our full days with the polar bears.

FAQ

  • Contact us to talk through any additional questions you may have. Your spot will be secured once the online registration form is completed and the deposit has been collected.

  • The Bed and Breakfast - Hearne House - is located in the heart of Churchill, two blocks off the main street in a quieter area of town (corner of Hearne and Simpson Streets) and is the newest in town, fully remodeled and furnished with a large shared kitchen (12’x12’) and a large shared living space (12’x16’).

    We have 4 double occupancy rooms, each one of them is quite spacious, averaging 10x12’ with two twin beds and storage space.

    There are two shared bathrooms with heated floors to accommodate a maximum of 8 people and a back garden area.

    There are ample electrical outlets for charging (both in the common areas and in your room) plus starlink internet service is on site for uploading photos or streaming video.

  • Sorry, single occupancy is not available on this tour.

    Our Bed & Breakfast has 4 double occupancy rooms, each one of them is quite spacious, averaging 10x12’ with two twin beds and storage space.

    There are two shared bathrooms with heated floors.

  • Absolutely! You are welcome to explore the area around Winnipeg as you desire. This would be on your own and is not included in the price of the trip.

  • Physical difficulty of this workshop is easy. We will be in four wheel drive vehicles and guests must be able to easily get in and out of the vehicle.

  • Absoluely! We have many people join our trips who want to come and enjoy this incredible experience. Guests are welcome to join us on our excursions each day or kick back at our accommodations.

    All guests are responsible for full tour tuition regardless of whether or not they are a photographer.

  • Starlink internet is available at our Bed and Breakfast. Cell phone service will vary carrier to carrier.

  • We have hired highly skilled polar bear guides with significant experience.

    While on tour, the most important rule is to ‘listen to your guide’ - while we still have fun and much of the day can seem very relaxed, your guide keeps the group and the bear’s safety as our highest priority.

    Each guide carries a 12 gauge shotgun as required by our tourism permits, however, main deterrents are body language, rocks and non-lethal scare pistols. Again, the important part is to stay with the group, try to avoid loud or sharp noises and just enjoy the moment. And of course, always laugh at your guide’s jokes.

  • Early November in Churchill is the beginning of arctic winter. The weather can vary greatly from day to day.

    Temperatures generally range from -5 to 40F (-20 to 5C) with dips as low as -20F (-28C). There are often strong winds and high humidity, making the “feels like” temperature very cold.

    It is essential to be prepared by dressing in layers. We will get out of the vehicles, when it is safe to do so, to photograph the polar bears. We will remain near our vehicles at all times, so if you need to warm up at any point, you are able to do so.

Why KAR Safaris?

At KAR Safaris, we’re different — and proud of it. We’re deeply passionate about what we do, and we bring a warm, welcoming spirit to every tour. Our trips are filled with laughter, camaraderie, and profound wildlife experiences that leave lasting impressions. We work hard to make sure you know exactly what to expect before you join us — no surprises, except the good kind! Genuine and honest to a fault, we believe in under-promising and over-delivering at every turn.

When you travel with us, you’re treated like a good friend, not just another client. We understand that every guest is different. Whether you just want to enjoy the wildlife or are a serious photographer, and we cater to your individual needs — offering personalized instruction if you want it, or simply giving you the space to enjoy the experience if you don’t. Our commitment is simple: create unforgettable experiences, built on trust, kindness, and a shared love of the natural world.

Have a small group or want a more exclusive experience? Ask about setting up a custom tour. From day trips to week long adventures, we can make your dream photography adventure a reality.

We recommend trip insurance for all of our tours and trips.